For distinguished service in enemy action.

Attacked by an enemy submarine, he so skillfully maneuvered his ship as to cause two torpedoes to miss. As his ship was unarmed, he attempted to run from the submarine which was also attacking by gun fire at close range. For over an hour he strove to out-distance the foe. Only when enemy shells had started two serious fires, wrecked the superstructure, demolished all but one of the lifeboats, and so disabled the steering gear that the ship was out of control, did he reluctantly give orders to abandon ship. The only usable lifeboat had been punctured by shell fragments, and while engaged in lowering away, a shell hit the fuel tank and showered the crew with burning oil, yet he so expertly supervised this operation that all but one of his crew got safely away with twenty-two men crowded into the boat and the remainder distributed on three life rafts. Making temporary repairs to the overcrowded lifeboat, he set sail for the nearest land, thirty miles away, disembarked most of the men, and endeavored to set out again into a heavy sea for the men left on the life rafts. Only when assured that these men had been rescued by a naval vessel, did he cease his determined efforts to go to their assistance.

His expert ship handling, his courageous leadership, and his fine concern for the safety of his crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Merchant Marine.